Abstract: Objective To study the efficacy of recombinant human granulocye-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) in combination with itraconazole against Candida albicans. Methods In vivo test, systemic Candida albicans infection murine model was established, and treated with rhGM-CSF alone or in combination with itraconazole. The survival rate of the mice was observed within 28 days. In vitro test, murine peripheral blood neutrophils and peritoneal macrophages were isolated and incubated with different concentrations of itraconazole or itraconazole plus rhGM-CSF in the presence of Candida albicans. Then the concentration of colony-forming units (cfu) was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole used alone or in combination with rhGM-CSF. Results The survival time of mice within 28 days was significantly prolonged when rhGM-CSF (25 μg/kg) was used in combination with itraconazole (1.0 mg/kg), the effect was similar to itraconazole (2.5 mg/kg) used alone. Furthermore the effect of rhGM-CSF (25 μg/kg) in combination with itraconazole (5 mg/kg) was similar to that of itraconazole (10 mg/kg) used alone. In vitro, the concentration of cfu was also significantly decreased by the use of rhGM-CSF in combination with itraconazole. Conclusion The combination of rhGM-CSF and itraconazole shows a good synergistic effect against the murine systemic infection of Candida albicans.

Key words: Candida albicans, Granulocye-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, recombinant, Itraconazole, Microbial sensitivity tests, Animals testing alternatives